Free: Turf sprints and longshots Sunday at Santa Anita

Handicapping notes and upset candidates for Sunday at Santa Anita, where four of the nine races are hillside turf sprints including three stakes.

Race 1 – Incredibly Lucky (7) has worked well for her debut against a soft field of Cal-bred maiden-50 fillies and mares. ’Lucky has speed according to National Turf workout analyst Andy Harrington, while up-in-class Out of Control (11) also has speed. At 10-1, she is a must use.

Race 2 – In a Daily Racing Form story dated March 21, during the suspension of racing, trainer Phil D’Amato said, “We’re loaded up with horses to run.” He was telling the truth. D’Amato is already 3-for-10 since racing resumed Friday; his front-running comebacker Pee Wee Reese (7) is favored in this Calbred turf sprint stakes. One minor concern, however. All three turf sprints this week were won by closers that rallied from fifth position or farther back. The small-sample profile benefits Brandothebartender (2). Pee Wee Reese still the one to beat.

Race 4 – The closers-friendly profile (three-race sample) will be tested by odds-on Conquest Tsunami (1) in this G3 hillside sprint. He is the speed of the field, the class of the race, and should be gone. Would think twice before betting against him.

Race 5 – Owning (6) is the top choice in this starter allowance sprint for 3-year-olds, but if route-to-sprint dropper Diamond Blitz (3) starts anything close to his 8-1 program odds he is worth backing. Would settle for 5-1.

Race 6 – Another front-runner in a hillside sprint, Mr. Twinery (11) has a shot. Just a shot. Meanwhile, a deep closer is training like he is a new horse, which in a way he is. Big Buzz (3) made the DRF “horses to watch” list after an impressive maiden win first start after being castrated. A different horse as a gelding, Big Buzz is worth backing at 5-1 or higher. He is listed at 10-1.

Race 8 – D’Amato-trained front-runner S Y Sky (10) won both previous starts on the hill, and is favored to win this this Calbred stakes. No secret. Want a bomber? D’Amato also starts 15-1 outsider Barbara Beatrice (8), a two-time winner on the hill with a closing style that suits the pace scenario.

Race 9 – Caracortada (5). Period.

Potential price plays listed: Out of Control (11) in race 1; Diamond Blitz (3) in race 5; Big Buzz (3) in race 6; Barbara Beatrice (8) in race 8.

First post: Sunday, 1 p.m. PT.